A DOG owner was left seriously injured, and one of his pets was killed, after they were knocked over in a hit-and-run on an old railway line.

The injured man was found by a cyclist on Wednesday morning on the walkway at Shotton, in County Durham.

Police say the man, who is in his late 40s and comes from Shotton Colliery, is thought to have been struck by a black vehicle, possibly a 4x4.

The victim was found close to the Cemex cement works, behind Thornley Crossing Industrial Estate, at around 11.45am.

He had suffered fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a large cut to his head and was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Tees, at Stockton where his condition was tonight described as serious, but stable. One of his dogs was also injured and died as a result.

Detective Sergeant Graeme Chisholm, of Peterlee CID, said it was believed the victim had sustained his injuries as a result of being run over by a black vehicle, possibly a 4x4.

He added: "The victim was walking a number of Dalmatian dogs, one of which was on a leash, before he was hit by a vehicle and I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw them or what we believe may have been black 4x4 in the vicinity to contact us.

"The victim is seriously hurt and I would urge anyone who has any information about this incident whatsoever to get in touch with us."

Anyone with information is asked to ring Peterlee CID on 0345 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.